High Court · 2025

CRL OP(MD). No.18437 of 2025BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction )Date : 25.10.2025PRESENTTHE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE S.SRIMATHYCRL OP(MD). No.18437 of 2025Sakthivel ... Petitioner/Accused Vs1.The Inspector of Police, Cyber Crime Unit IFSO, Sec-16C, Dwarka, New Delhi, (Crime No.369/2024)2.The Inspector of Police,Tirunelveli Police Station,Tirunelveli District. ... Respondents/Complainants For Petitioner : Mr.K.Esakki Durai Advocate For R2 : Mrs.M.Aasha, Government Advocate (Crl.Side) 1/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP(MD). No.18437 of 2025PRAYER :- Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 482 of BNSS seeking to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner to enlarge him on bail in the even of his arrest or surrender in connection with Crime No.369 of 2024, on the file of the Cyber Crime Unit IFSO, Sec-16C, Dwarka, New Delhi.ORDER : The Court made the following order :-The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Section 318(4) of BNS, 2023, in Crime No.369 of 2024 on the file of the first respondent police, seeks interim anticipatory bail. 2. The petitioner, who had been accused of non-bailable offences committed beyond the territorial jurisdiction limit of the State of Tamil Nadu, has approached this Court for anticipatory bail, so as to enable him to approach appropriate Court.2/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP(MD). No.18437 of 20253. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner/accused had committed an online fraud for Rs.10,00,000/-. Hence, the case.4. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. Hence, he seeks interim anticipatory bail for the petitioner to enable him to approach the appropriate Court and seek regular anticipatory bail. He further submits that this Court, in similar circumstances, granted interim anticipatory bail to the accused to enable him to seek appropriate bail orders from the concerned Court.5. Heard the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the 2nd respondent.6. The issue as to whether, in respect of the persons, who have been accused of a non-bailable offence, committed beyond the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Tamil Nadu, and if his arrest is sought within the jurisdiction of this Court, irrespective of the fact that he is a resident of the place over which this Court can grant anticipatory bail under 3/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP(MD). No.18437 of 2025Section 482 of BNSS, came up for consideration before a Division Bench of this Court in the case of S.P.Shanthi Swaroop v. State of Tamil Nadu, rep. By Asst. Commissioner of Police, Central Crime Branch, Madras reported in 1992 L.W.(Crl.) 475. After elaborate discussion, decisions and considering the ratio laid down by the Patna High Court in Syed Safrul Hassan v. State, the Division Bench has passed the following order :“For the foregoing reasons, we hold that the High Court or the Court of Session has got power under Section 438 Cr.P.C. To grant anticipatory bail irrespective of the locale of the Commission of the offence. In other words, in respect of persons who have been accused of a non-bailable offence committed beyond the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Tamil Nadu, if their arrest is sought within the jurisdiction of this Court, irrespective of the fact that they are residents of the place over which this Court can grant anticipatory bail. However, we wish to observe that while granting anticipatory bail, this Court has to restrict the relief for a limited period and to direct the concerned persons to move the Court which is having jurisdiction over the matter in the meantime and also impose such condition so as to make the petitioner available for interrogation by the concerned police in the meantime. The reference is answered accordingly.”4/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP(MD). No.18437 of 20257. Thereafter, a learned Single Judge of this Court in the case of P.Thangavelu and others v. State, rep. By the Inspector of Police and other reported in 2017 (2) MWN (Cr.) 633 has passed the following order :“9.Thus, it is seen that though in the State of Uttar Pradesh, the provisions of Section 438, Cr.P.C., enabling grant of Anticipatory bail has been deleted, still the Courts have power to grant Inter-State Anticipatory Bail, more particularly taking into account the provisions under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. In the light of the above Judgments and discussions, this Court is of the view that Inter-State Anticipatory Bail can be granted to the petitioner for a limited period to enable them seek appropriate Bail Orders from the concerned Court.10. Accordingly, Interim Anticipatory Bail is granted to the petitioner herein till 01.08.2016. The petitioners are directed to be enlarged on Bail in the event of their arrest or on their appearance before the Judicial 5/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP(MD). No.18437 of 2025Magistrate concerned, subject to the following conditions:(i) Each petitioner shall execute a Personal Bond for a sum of Rs.10,000- (Rupees ten thousand only) with two sureties, to the satisfaction of the Respondent-Police or the Police Officer, who intends to arrest or to the satisfaction of the Magistrate concerned;(ii) within the said period, ie., before 01.08.2016, the petitioner shall appear before the concerned Court of Jurisdiction and move for Anticipatory Bail before the said Court.11. This Court makes it very clear that Inerim Anticipatory Bail pertaining to Inter-State disputes cannot be sought as a matter of right and it is purely the discretion of the Court in granting the same, considering the facts, circumstances and also the nature of offences. It is also made clear that this order, on being produced, shall be punctually observed and executed by all concerned.”8. In view of the decisions cited supra, this Court is inclined to grant interim anticipatory bail to the petitioner for a period of four weeks. 6/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP(MD). No.18437 of 2025Accordingly, interim anticipatory bail is granted to the petitioner for a period of 4 weeks. The petitioner is directed to be enlarged on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance before the respondent police and on further conditions that :(i) the petitioner shall execute a Personal Bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the respondent police or the Police Officer, who intends to arrest or to the satisfaction of the learned Principle District Judge, Tirunelveli;(ii) within the said period, i.e, before 24.11.2025, the petitioner shall file an appropriate application before the concerned jurisdictional Court for pre-arrest/anticipatory bail. (S S Y J) 25.10.2025VSG7/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP(MD). No.18437 of 2025 S.SRIMATHY,JVSGTo1.The learned Principle District Judge, Tirunelveli.2.The Inspector of Police, Cyber Crime Unit IFSO, Sec-16C, Dwarka, New Delhi, (Crime No.369/2024)3.The Inspector of Police,Tirunelveli Police Station,Tirunelveli District. 4.The Additional Public Prosecutor,Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. ORDER IN CRL OP(MD) No.18437 of 2025 Date :25.10.20258/8